Fast Food Apparel

I may not have this completely right, but to my eye McDonald’s was one of the first (if not the first) to have a wildly successful apparel drop featuring its food. I believe it was a partnership with Uber Eats, and it “sold out” almost instantly. There may have been other similar moves before, but I believe McDonald’s was among the first to make it big.

And when you make it big, others are sure to follow.

Last week, In-N-Out dropped a sneaker that riffs off of its iconic drink cups. Already sold out.

And Popeyes (my pick for 2019 Brand of the Year) recently launched a line of clothing as well.

Many thought the clothing looked a lot like the new line from Beyonce’s Ivy Park collab with Adidas, and in fact when that line came out many thought the colors looked a lot like Popeyes staff’s uniforms. Coincidence? Here’s an article from CNN that briefly examines it.

So is wearing fast food becoming a thing? Perhaps. But one thing I can say confidently, engaging with a brand you love is definitely a thing…a big thing…and there are now more and more ways of doing it beyond just the actual product itself.

Like this candle from KFC that smells like its infamous gravy…

How can you do something similar for your brand? What’s your experience? JIM